WHEREAS, THE PROTECTION OF RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO JUSTICE are inherent rights

of all people; and

WHEREAS, without access to the justice system, there is no justice, and the freedoms we

celebrate today would be nothing but words;

   NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Judges Association hereby

declares that protection of rights and access to justice of people who are poor, elderly,

 or with disabilities, are major goals that all judges and lawyers should seek to provide

and protect; and be it further 

RESOLVED, that the American Judges Association encourages the development of

 ways and means of implementing the above goals, through activities that will improve

the law, the legal system, and the administration of justice, for all people, and more

 particularly the poor, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Adopted September 25, 1997
Judge Jeffrey Rosinek, President
American Judges Association Resolutions Committee
Gregory Barlow
Paul Beighle
Seymore Brown
Ann Pugh
Ira J. Raab, Chair

                                    Rhetoric! 

                                                      RULE OF LAW IN AMERICA 

“Our Constitution ensures that America will always be a nation ruled by laws,

not by men. For more than 200 years, Americans have revered the wisdom

and foresight of our nation's founding documents, and we must continue that

proud tradition. What sets this nation apart in history is our conviction that

life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are not merely American rights,

 confined to our shores, but the gifts of a benevolent Creator to all humanity.”

                                        WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas